15 June 2016

The Koran

I want an education.I'm even considering trying to start a conversation with an official at our local Muslim place of worship.I want to know what the Koran says.

I'm told the Koran, like the Bible, has contradictions.Contradictions in the Bible are resolved by Christ's appearance on earth.The New Testament establishes new rules-Love the Lord.Love others as you love the Lord.

What does the Koran say?This is where I need expert input.

I'm told followers of Islam are told to do one of three things with "infidels"...(that's you and me).1. Tax them.2. Enslave them.3. Kill them, and the preferred method of execution is beheading.How much of this is true?

Today, from many friends I used to consider intelligent, I'm hearing "religion is the problem".True Christians ARE NOT the problem.

Please...Someone who knows more about the "Religion of Peace"...Tell me the truth, and cite where I can get an education on the subject.

I have heard a lot of people say this. There is a simple solution. Read it for yourself. I personally believe that it is irresponsible for a person in today's society to not know the basic tenants of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Now, one of the difficulties with this is that many of the teachings that we follow do not come from our holy books. For instance, for Catholics, prayer to saints, not eating fish on Fridays, and infant baptism are not in the Bible. For Jews, many of the rules are not in the Torah, but are interpretations of the laws that later became the Talmud. Sunni and Shi'a started because of disagreement of who was supposed to lead the religion after Mohammad died, and they only drifted apart from there. This is part of why we get so many denominations in Christianity; there are many minor differences in interpretation, but as a whole, the differences can be quite large.

FOOTNOTES!A)A very wise man once told me that as I am reading scriptures, keep in mind 3 things.1) What does this say?What are the literal words on the page? For example, Ephesians 6:9 "And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him."

2) What does this mean?Those who are in charge of others should be kind to those serving beneath them, because there are those above them, who will notice their performance.

3) How do I apply this?This means that if I am in charge of someone, I should treat them with respect, as I would want to be treated if I were in their place.

B)Keep in mind that as you read through other scriptures, that you WILL come across things you vehemently disagree with. But remember, you can also find parts of the Bible that are very distasteful.

C) This is A LOT longer than I had planned...

D)Keep reading, and keep learning! Remember: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."